Conquer Chronic Pain

October 5, 2015
An estimated 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, according to Przekop, a doctor of osteopathic medicine who also holds a Ph.D. in neurobiology, and traditional courses of treatment—such as opioids, surgery, injections, and implantable pain management devices—often fail in the long term. He believes lasting pain relief can’t happen without identifying and resolving emotional trauma. Drawing on more than 10 years of research and knowledge gleaned from treating chronic pain sufferers and substance abusers, Przekop posits that those who experience sustained stress and depression, internalize emotions, and cope ineffectively actually strengthen the neural pathways that affect how the body processes pain, increasing its severity and duration. To combat that, the author prescribes a series of mind-body practices (Qigong, breathing exercises, schemas, and other mindfulness methods) that he credits with the successful treatment of hundreds of his patients. Przekop’s work offers a wealth of information about the causes of chronic pain and what to do to alleviate it.